Lomé: Togo’s government postponed the April 20 legislative election until an unspecified date on Wednesday, shortly after lawmakers approved controversial constitutional reforms.
The president said there was a need for “consultation” on changes to the March opposition reforms aimed at keeping President Faure Gnassingbe in power in the West African country.
Gnassingbe has won every election since 2005, after succeeding his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who took power in a coup 50 years ago, but the opposition has always claimed the results were rigged.
After a week of tension about the reform, Gnassingbe sent the law to the National Assembly for a second reading, arguing that force had been used to maintain his position with the opposition.
“The National Assembly wants to have a few days to carry out extensive consultations with all stakeholders,” the president said in a statement on the postponement of the election.
“As a result, the government will slightly change the calendar for the legislative and regional elections scheduled for April 20.” No new date was given.
Togo’s parliament, dominated by Gnassingbé’s UNIR party, passed a law that would switch Togo from a presidential to a parliamentary system, giving the assembly the right to elect a president for six years.
Under the new constitution, members of parliament will elect the president “without controversy.”
Togo delays April elections over political reforms
